Sending Estonian Defence Forces to Ukraine
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2025-05-07 16:43
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 14
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 11m
AI Summaries: 14/14 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The present meeting minutes addressed the topic of sending Estonian Defence Forces personnel to Ukraine. The Riigikogu assessed the possibility and extent to which Estonia should participate in a peacekeeping or peace enforcement mission together with its allies. Varro Vooglaid posed a question with a critical analysis of the government’s expressed readiness, emphasizing the decision-making power derived from the Riigikogu’s constitution, according to which the decision on foreign missions should be made by the Riigikogu, not the government. He pointed out that the readiness was not based on specific and essential conditions, and presented three noteworthy assumptions regarding the involvement of the United States, NATO Article 5, and Russia’s position. In the second part, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas responded, confirming that the decision on foreign missions falls within the competence of the Riigikogu and that the government will submit the mandate for discussion and parliamentary approval.
The second part focused on the coordination of Estonia and its allies and the objective of achieving a long-term, just peace. Kallas emphasized that the number of mandates for the Defence Forces will be 128 in 2025, and the actual deployment depends on the Riigikogu’s corresponding decision; in addition, Estonia has participated and is preparing to participate in peacekeeping and security missions together with partners. She noted that if a lasting and just peace emerges and if allies, including the United Kingdom, France, and potentially the United States, are prepared to guarantee that peace, then these countries will be involved in cooperation with the European Union, and Estonia will continue to ensure security through its contribution. Finally, no concrete decisions were made within the framework of this matter; the discussion will continue, and the decision will likely be adopted in the Riigikogu’s subsequent proceedings.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made. The Riigikogu’s yachting expedition must be decided separately and officially during the discussion of the relevant mandate; this discussion did not result in a final decision.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (quite a stir), holding the leading position within the Riigikogu coalition and representing the government; her position: right-wing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is moving forward rapidly and reaches the tenth question, which Varro Vooglaid poses to Prime Minister Kristen Michal on the topic of sending armed forces personnel to Ukraine.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid criticizes that, in his capacity as Estonia's prime minister, he expressed willingness to send troops to the Ukrainian peacekeeping mission without the Riigikogu's debate and decision and unconditionally, and emphasizes that real support is limited and depends on three important conditions — first, the United States' nonparticipation, second, the United States' clear position that participation would not trigger NATO Article 5, and the third condition remained unaddressed due to a lack of time.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar turns to Mr. Prime Minister and asks for something.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia will continue to participate in security missions together with allies, stressed the importance of amending the constitution to limit the participation of citizens of aggressor states, and noted that in 2025 the mandates are for 128 servicemen of the Defence Forces, and that in order to achieve a lasting and more just peace and to lead Ukraine on its path to the European Union, they cooperate with the United States, the United Kingdom and France.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar announced that we can indeed continue, and asked Varro Vooglaid to pose a clarifying question.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid emphasizes that the decision on discharge from the Estonian Defence Forces is made by the Riigikogu in accordance with the Constitution, criticizes the opposition and asks a question: if the USA does not go, will Estonia then also not go to Ukraine?
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister confirmed that decisions on missions abroad are made by Parliament and that to obtain a mandate one must turn to Parliament, but Estonia will continue to aid Ukraine — about 0.25% of GDP each year for military spending, and before the Republic Day an additional military aid package was adopted — the aim is to achieve a just and lasting peace and to maintain the unity of NATO and the European Union together with allies.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and announces that one final question will be taken, and asks Martin Helme to pose a supplementary question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme emphasizes that among Western countries there is no unity in sending troops and Estonia is alone, and he rhetorically asks why more than 10,000 draft dodgers hiding in Estonia — Ukrainians who are hiding in Estonia — are not sent away before Estonian boys are sent off to war.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar says that time is of the essence, and we cannot give Martin Helme any more time.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks why we are the only border state that wants to go to war.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks, announces that he can no longer give Martin Helme any more time, and directs the petition to the prime minister.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The prime minister confirmed that Estonia acts in the name of a world that operates according to value-based policy and rules, does not recognise Russia's forcible seizure of territories belonging to Ukraine, is firmly on Ukraine's side, and is a member of NATO and the European Union, participating in foreign missions with allies.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The information briefing has ended; I thank all colleagues and government members for a substantive discussion, and we will continue at two o'clock with the Riigikogu plenary session.